The chairwoman of the state's ethics and lobbying regulator is stepping down effective Saturday, a pre-planned departure first signaled in June, according to a resignation letter obtained by Spectrum News 1.

Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) Chairwoman Camille Varlack had planned to serve six months in the job leading the panel, pre-dating Gov. Andrew Cuomo's resignation announcement this week. 

Varlack had submitted her letter to Cuomo on June 24 announcing her planned August departure. 

“In February, I agreed to serve as Chair of JCOPE on an interim basis for no more than six months, and in June, I informed the Governor’s Office my last day would be August 15th. It has been a privilege to continue serving my fellow New Yorkers in this role, and a distinct honor to work alongside so many dedicated public servants at JCOPE," Varlack said in a statement. 

Varlack is leaving to continuing to grow her own law firm, a source familiar with her thinking said. 

“Camille’s commitment was always short term because she is building a new law firm,” according to a source.